On May 21, 2020, the Prime Minister held the 35th meeting of the Novel Coronavirus Response Headquarters at the Prime Minister’s Office.

At the meeting, the participants discussed the response to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Following the discussion, the Prime Minister said,

“After the lifting of the state of emergency in 39 prefectures on May 14, the number of new cases of infection in Japan has continued to decline. As the number of hospitalized patients has decreased, the situation of stretched medical systems is also improving. I would like to once again express my respect to healthcare professionals giving their all on the frontlines under the state of emergency, as well my sincere gratitude to citizens for their efforts such as refraining from going out and avoiding the three Cs (closed spaces, crowded places, and close-contact setting).

Regarding the eight Prefectures under Special Cautions, we asked the Advisory Committee on the Basic Action Policy to assess the current situation in light of the criteria for lifting the state of emergency formulated by the Expert Meeting on May 14. With the endorsement of the Advisory Committee, today, we will lift the declaration of the state of emergency in the prefectures of Kyoto, Osaka, and Hyogo. Meanwhile, regarding the remaining four prefectures in the Kanto region, as well as Hokkaido, there have been improvements in the epidemiological situation and medical treatment structure. Therefore, we will request the Expert Meeting to assess the situation once again at the beginning of next week, as early as May 25. If it is possible, we intend to lift the state of emergency, without waiting until its completion date set on May 31.

In these five remaining Prefectures under Specific Cautions, even though the number of patients is declining, we believe there is continued risk. We ask the people to maintain their ongoing efforts, including refraining from going out and traveling beyond prefectural borders, as they have done to date.

We hope that those prefectures where the state of emergency is lifted will increase socio-economic activities step-by-step, while thoroughly implementing measures to prevent the spread of infections, based on the ‘New Lifestyle’ and the ‘Industry-specific Guidelines’ on preventive measures formulated by the respective industry associations.

In order to establish a new normal for everyday life in the age of the coronavirus, the government is executing various measures in accordance with the first supplementary budget. In just over ten days since beginning to disburse the Sustainability Subsidy of up to 2 million yen, we have already provided over 500 billion yen to more than 400,000 small- and medium-sized business operators, prioritizing speed above all. In order to protect the businesses and employment of those who are gritting their teeth and working diligently in this severe situation by any means possible, we will continue to exert every effort and intend to advance the formulation of the second supplementary budget.

In addition, we will also fully prepare for the next wave of infections, such as enhancing the screening structure with antigen and other test methods, as well as strengthening the medical treatment structure, in collaboration with prefectural governors and local governments.

As the state of emergency is being gradually lifted, the entire nation is beginning to take on the challenge of creating a new normal for everyday life, while preventing the spread of infections. I ask you to continue to exert every effort in unity with prefectural governments and, above all, the citizens.”